Today, a large group of cross-party MPs and Peers, human rights lawyers and members of the Anglo-Iranian community discussed the fluid situation and recent developments in Iran including the formation of the provisional government by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to transfer sovereignty to the people of Iran, at a meeting in Parliament.
NCRI President-elect for the transitional period, Maryam Rajavi, attended the meeting via video link.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, she emphasised that women’s leadership is essential for Iran’s democratic transition and said:
“The death of Khamenei marks the death of religious tyranny and the end of the system of absolute religious dictatorship.
“The NCRI has presented a plan for a National Solidarity Front based on democratic and patriotic principles [calling] on all political forces within the [people’s] front who are committed to overthrowing religious tyranny and establishing a democratic republic based on separation of religion and state… to stand united, despite their differences.
“The defence of the violated rights of the Iranian people and of oppressed ethnic nationalities, including Baluch, Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen compatriots, lies at the heart of this solidarity.
“The people of Iran have sacrificed more than one hundred thousand of their finest sons and daughters. They did not give their lives to move from religious tyranny back to monarchical rule. [Iran’s] destiny is written by its people … There is no need for foreign intervention.
“According to the resolutions of the NCRI, once the provisional government is established on our country’s soil, it is required to hold free and fair elections within six months to form a National Constituent and Legislative Assembly.”
The cross-party members of parliament, and speakers expressed support and solidarity with the Iranian people at this difficult time and urged the UK Government to recognise and engage with NCRI’s provisional government.
They also highlighted and applauded the courageous women of Iran, who are at the forefront of the recent uprisings, and actively taking part and leading the organised resistance, and the resistance units advancing the struggle for freedom and democracy.
Co-chair of the British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF), Bob Blackman CBE MP, announced a statement backing the NCRI’s initiative to transfer power to the Iranian people, which has already been signed by at least 70 members of both Houses of the UK Parliament and many European parliamentarians since its initiation three days ago.
The statement describes Khamenei’s death as “a profoundly significant development”. It stresses that regime change in Iran, will affect global peace and security. It reiterates and backs Maryam Rajavi’s comment that regime change can “only be achieved by the Iranian people and their organised resistance”.
In their statement, the cross-party signatories add:
“We welcome the NCRI’s announcement of a provisional government to transfer sovereignty to the people and to establish a democratic republic based on Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan. This plan calls for freedom of expression and assembly, separation of religion and state, gender equality, abolition of the death penalty, recognition of autonomy for oppressed nationalities within a united Iran, and a non-nuclear Iran. It merits our full support and has already been endorsed by more than 4,000 legislators on both sides of the Atlantic.
“The NCRI, as the oldest democratic and independent coalition in Iran, has consistently affirmed that it seeks neither financial assistance nor the presence of foreign forces on Iranian soil. Its program is committed to facilitating a peaceful transfer of power to the Iranian people through free and fair elections within six months of the regime’s fall.
“We also welcome the NCRI’s call for the formation of a solidarity front. Supporting the provisional government of the NCRI ... is a necessary step toward the establishment of democracy and stability in Iran, as well as peace and coexistence in the region and the world.”
Bob Blackman CBE added:
“The Iranian regime’s embassy in London no longer holds legitimacy; it should be closed. We must recognise the democratic opposition as the true voice of the people of Iran.”
Baroness Verma highlighted women’s leadership role in the recent uprisings and the decades-long organised resistance and said:
“I emphasise that any viable democratic alternative for Iran’s future must not only advocate for but actively implement complete gender equality in the realms of political, social, cultural, and economic rights and equal participation of women in leadership. This is precisely the vision Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan offers.”
Baroness O’Loan DBE said:
“The People Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI), one of Iran's oldest opposition groups and the main constituent of the NCRI, has institutionalised female leadership in Iran’s pro‑democracy movement.
“With Khamenei now dead, the countdown for this brutal regime has begun. At this decisive moment NCRI’s provisional government led by Madam Rajavi, have filled a critical gap with a clear, inclusive roadmap that can unite millions of Iranians, especially women, in the struggle to liberate their country.
Rt Hon. Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP called for the immediate proscription of the IRGC and the closure of Iran's embassy in London. Stressing that the popular struggle in Iran is for a republic, he added:
“Transformation is in the wind. Moments of upheaval demand more than just passion or declarations, they demand preparation.
“For more than 40 years, the NCRI has sustained an organised alternative rooted in the republican principles. It has insisted that the future of Iran must rest on ballots, not bullets, on law, and not lineage.
“At the heart of this movement stands Maryam Rajavi, whose leadership has consistently articulated a vision of secular, democratic republic. I believe her 10-point plan lays out not revenge, but rights.”
Mary Glindon MP said:
“Madam Rajavi, I just have to say that your perseverance and that of the Iranian people is starting to bear fruit. I hope that your hope will be realised. That this is the end of the regime. I hope that there can be a transition.
“The world will be supporting the decent, good people of Iran … and rejoice when that happens, and the Middle East will see a transformation.”
Addressing Maryam Rajavi, Rt Hon. Sir Roger Gale MP said:
“The resolution to this issue and to the introduction of the democracy that you and we both so passionately wish to see lies in the hands of the people of Iran and not in the hands of this or any other country.
“What we can do and will do is show you our resolute support to make sure that that dream is realised and that your ten-point plan, [provisional] government and democracy find a real foothold and a place in the future of Iran and that the vacuum is not fulfilled by those of evil intent.”
Jim Shannon MP said:
“In the recent uprisings of December and January, we witnessed a heroism that defies words. The Iranian people have made their message clear: they will no longer tolerate the tyranny of the mullahs.
“It is the duty of every freedom-seeker and every democratic government worldwide to support the NCRI’s provisional government.”
Lord Cryer said:
“The regime in Tehran, the IRGC and the other branches of the regime, it is not an exaggeration to say that the nearest thing we have got in the world today to the Nazis.
“If the regime was to fall and if we saw a transition to a democratic government in Tehran, there would be a virtuous ripple out across the globe because their proxies are so widespread. We should close down the embassy [and] expel the ambassador and the diplomats.”
Rt Hon. Lord Bruce of Bennachie said:
“The 10-point plan which articulates what any, and I mean in the broadest sense of the word, liberal would want to see in any country. What a wonderful thing would a democratic liberal Iran be for the peace of the world as well as the safety of London. Congratulations to this organisation for your persistence, your dedication.”
Rt Hon. Dame Theresa Villiers DBE, former Secretary of State said:
“There is widespread support for the transition to a truly democratic future. Neither the Mullahs nor the Shah is the solution. Women are leading the campaign for democratic change and reform. It is time for the brutalisation of women and girls by the regime to end.”
Professor Sara Chandler KC (Hon), Secretary of the Human Rights Commission of the Federation of European Bar Associations, added:
“The international legal community stands by the Iranian people, supporting access to justice and the defence of life, human rights and freedom from the oppressive state.
“Madam Rajavi, your transition statement brings hope to all. Your consistent stand against war, appeasement and your work over decades to build support for the Iranian people and their organised resistance for a democratic change must now be recognised.”
Masoud Zabeti, president of the Anglo-Iranian Lawyers Association, said:
“In January of this year, [the regime] declared full-scale war on the Iranian people. They used military equipment on the streets of Iran to slaughter unarmed protesters in their thousands.
“This is actually a war between the Iranian people and the Iranian regime. And ultimately, as Mrs. Rajavi has said, it is the Iranian people that will determine the future of Iran. The 10-point plan is a blueprint for a future Iran.”
Dr Leyla Hannbeck said:
“It is time to finally proscribe IRGC as terrorist because that is exactly who they are. Iranian women have consistently spearheaded the protests and resistance against this bloodthirsty mullah regime, side by side with the brave Iranian men.
“It is encouraging to see the leader of the National Council of Resistance of Iran being a woman, Mrs. Rajavi, bringing hope to the oppressed women of Iran and for all of us to feel that finally freedom and equality is near.”
Other speakers included: Rt Hon. Lord Hamilton of Epsom; Lord Hacking; Azadeh Zabeti, from the Anglo-Iranian Lawyers Association; and Rosa Zarei, a representative of the Association of Professionals.
Others who attended but did not speak included: Lord Morrow; Rachael Maskell MP; Ms Marie Rimmer MP; Lee Baron MP; Susan Murray MP; Sir Bernard Jenkin MP; Lord Hay of Ballyore; Rev. Dr Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown; Tracy Edwards MBE; Robert Ward, Conservative Councillor from Croydon.
British Committee for Iran Freedom
4 March 2026